Life has many turning points. It is easy to remember some circumstances where our life has changed dramatically, sometimes for the better and sometimes seemingly for the worse. Some of us are better observers than others, more conscious and aware of life’s twists and turns, decision points, changes and situations. Some are more likely to pay attention to what faces them and try to make the most of it. Some of us are too passive, like leaves blowing in the wind taken to wherever fate takes us. We have a basic choice of living as a victim or victor. We can choose to be the captain of our own ship or take whatever life happens to give us.

Well-adjusted adults realize and accept responsibility for managing their life and choose self-accountability. Many are struggling to make these choices. There are more and more who want to be dependent upon others and fail to take self-responsibility. They are too willing to let life or others dictate life’s circumstances to them. There is a large gap between dependency and self-reliance, self-sufficiency, being mature and independence. There is a huge difference from accepting responsibility and taking charge versus accepting whatever happens to us as something that is beyond our control.

Life’s turning points come continuously and at anytime. They happen due to the occurring of life’s events and circumstances or because we choose to take charge and make things happen. Life happens whether or not we are proactive or abdicate responsibility to someone or something else. Life tends to give us our expectations. Those with low expectations get what they expect. Those with higher expectations tend to get what they expect as well.

Turning points offers the opportunity to change, for fresh directions, to move forward in new and exciting ways; or to remain stagnant or slide backwards. The choice is always ours to make, be a victim or choosing to become a victor. We have creative capabilities that will try to produce the kind of life we visualize and can see ourselves living. Life going forward is an unpainted canvas. It is up to us to visualize and mentally paint the life we want. If we shirk this responsibility, we are relinquishing the opportunity to choose and for determining our own destiny. We have within us the capability of both creating and managing the life that we really want to have.

Challenge: Sometimes turning points are noticeably good and sometimes they seem very undesirable. Life has its dramatic changes. Sometimes these changes do occur for reasons beyond your control. Whether you approach them as victim or victor has much to do with your attitude and the proactivity of your life going forward. Be proactive going forward. Take charge and steer your life in the direction you want it to go. Be your own captain.

Wisdom: We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance. Harrison Ford

Spiritual: (NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36

Too many fear life. They fear what lies around the corner, fearing change, and as a result lack the courage and confidence to take charge of their lives. There are far too many people living this way. Those who have God in their lives can chose to live in a different way. They can have confidence and faith that God is always in charge and is watching out for us. He has our best interests at heart. He is our heavenly father. Why should we fear?

Prayer: Help me to have faith and confidence. Help me to be unafraid. Help me to be proactive.